North Yorkshire charity highlights serious concerns about Family Court practices
Charity calls for urgent reforms to improve safety and understanding
The north of England's largest specialist domestic abuse charity, IDAS, has released a new report detailing significant concerns regarding survivors' and children's experiences in Family Court proceedings involving domestic abuse.
The report, Family Court Domestic Abuse: A Review of Domestic Abuse & Private Law Proceedings, compiles the experiences of over 100 survivors, children, and professionals, revealing persistent shortcomings in addressing domestic abuse and safeguarding in private law cases, despite previous reports from the Ministry of Justice’s Harm Panel.
Key findings
IDAS's research underscores the often distressing experiences faced by survivors during court proceedings, noting that these processes can sometimes extend the cycle of abuse. Among key findings, only 27% felt protected by court orders, and 63% believed domestic abuse was insufficiently considered in decisions.
Additionally, 77% felt professionals did not understand coercive control, highlighting urgent needs for systemic change.
Carmel Offord, the report's author from IDAS, commented on the challenges represented in the findings: “Our research shows that some survivors feel the Family Court has become a continuation of the abuse they have tried to escape.”
Recommendations for reform
To address these critical issues, IDAS has proposed three actions for the Government:
Invest in specialist domestic abuse-informed Family Court support: Implement sustainable funding across England and Wales for specialist advocacy and practical support in court buildings.
Publish a clear timetable to repeal the presumption of parental involvement: Establish legislative updates ensuring children’s safety is prioritized where domestic abuse is identified.
Introduce mandatory domestic abuse training: Ensure comprehensive training for Family Court system professionals, covering coercive control, post-separation abuse, trauma, and impacts on children.
IDAS will present its findings at an event in Parliament on 27th October, seeking action from MPs and stakeholders to transform commitments into meaningful change.
We've contacted to the Ministry of Justice for comment.